Apparatus for producing wound stators of dynamo electric machines formed from assembly of pole segments

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for manufacturing stators of dynamoelectric machines, the stators being formed as an assembly of pole segments; the apparatus comprising a seat where the assembly of pole segments are seated. An engagement assembly engages first ends of the pole segments for translation of the pole segments from the seat to a transfer device. A first holding assembly comprises a first plurality of holding members for clamping the pole segments to hold the pole segments as an assembly of pole segments. The first holding assembly being arranged on the transfer device moveable to transfer the assembly of pole segments from a first position to a second position. A containing assembly is located at the second position and provided with a second plurality of holding members for holding the assembly of pole segments. The second plurality of holding members are positioned on the containing assembly to surround the assembly of pole segments that are located at the containing assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the production of stators formed fromsegments of single poles in the following referred to as pole segments.

In particular, the solutions foreseen by the present invention relate tothe assembly of pole segments for forming a wound stator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As known, each pole segment can be wound singularly with one or moreelectric conductors (in the following also referred to as wire).

The sequence of operations by which the pole segments are producednormally provides winding the pole segments singularly, assembly of thepole segments to form the stator, connecting of the leads of the polesegments to terminals, fusing of leads of the pole segments to theterminals and definite joining of the pole segments by using externalbinding.

An advantage of a stator formed from the pole segments consists in theincrease of the quantity of electric conductor that can be present inthe finished stator. Consequently, a stator formed from pole segments ofis capable of producing higher performance for the same sizing of thefinal stator.

The existing production lines of stators formed from pole segments arescarcely automatic.

The few stages that are automatic adopt general purpose robots, whichhave high costs and long production time. In this situation, a highnumber of these devices are required to work in parallel in order toreach the required production quantities.

Furthermore, for the operations which follow winding of the polesegments, the latter need to be assembled together in a joiningsituation that is not final. In this situation there is a high risk ofdisjoining, or incorrect positioning of the pole segments during thesuccessive work stages, which contemplate for example: transferring,termination of the coil leads, fusing of the leads to the terminals,quality inspection, definite joining of the pole segments together.Examples of solutions for producing of stators formed from pole segmentshave been described in EP 1098425 and EP 1629588.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and amethod for assembling pole segments with a high degree of automation.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method capable of accomplishing transfer of an assembly of polesegments maintaining the positioning accuracy of the pole segments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for winding and assembling the pole segments where theapparatus occupies reduced plan space in the production environment ofcomponents having wound cores.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for positioning an assembly of pole segmentsaccurately for being worked on.

It is also a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus anda method for transferring and working an assembly of pole segments,which has a lead support member.

These and other aspects of the invention can be accomplished with anapparatus for manufacturing stators of dynamoelectric machines formed asan assembly of pole segments.

According to a further aspect of the invention a method formanufacturing stators of dynamoelectric machines formed as an assemblyof pole segments.

Further characteristics of the invention are indicated in the dependentclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be now shown with the following description ofexemplary embodiments thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, withreference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stator of a dynamoelectric machineformed from pole segments that have been wound and assembled;

FIG. 2 is a partial section view illustrating a transfer device of anassembly of pole segments according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2a is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a partial section view illustrating a portion of the transferdevice of FIG. 2 rotated by 90°;

FIG. 3a is a section view as seen from directions 3 a-3 a of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3b is a section view as seen from directions 3 b-3 b of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of the transfer device illustrating acontinuation on the right of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of FIG. 4 with certain parts shown insection;

FIG. 6 is a view as seen from direction 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view as seen from directions 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view as seen from directions 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 8 illustrating a stationwhere coil leads are positioned and terminals of the stator are crimped;

FIG. 9a is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 9 illustrating a stage ofpositioning of the coil leads of the stator;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 8 illustrating a stationwhere the terminals are fused;

FIG. 10a is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 10 illustrating aspecific operating stage of fusing of the terminals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a stator core 10 in a processing condition formed from anassembly of pole segments 11, like those described for example in EP1,098,425. The pole segments 11 have been wound with coils 10 a by meansof flyer devices, or other dispensing devices. Leads 10 b are extensionsof the conductor wire used to wind the coils and need to be routed onpredetermined paths and connected to terminals (not shown in FIG. 1),which are normally present on the insulation members 10 g of the ends 10c and 10 d of the pole segments 11.

As an alternative, the terminals can be present on a support member forthe leads 10 b placed on an end of the pole segments. An example of asupport member for the leads 10 b of this type is shown and more fullydescribed in the following.

Continuous lines 10 e visible in FIG. 1 represent the lateral sides ofthe pole segments 11. In particular, a pole segment 11 is delimited bythe two axial ends 10 c and 10 d, and two lateral sides 10 e. In thefigures, ends 10 c and 10 d correspond to the end faces of thelamination stacks that form the pole segments 11.

Still as shown in FIG. 1, the pole segments 11 are assembled together toachieve a mutual engagement along the lateral sides 10 e.

More in detail, the mutual engagement between the pole segments canoccur by means of protrusions present on one lateral side 10 e, whichengage in respective recesses of an adjacent lateral side of a polesegment, like is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The pole segments 11 canbe maintained in a temporary assembled condition by generatingcircumferential force reactions FC to keep the male protrusionspositioned in the recesses.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a situation in which the pole segments 11 form astator positioned in a hollow seat 12. Seat 12 contains a portion of thelengths of the pole segments 11, as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, seat 12hides the view of ends 10 d. However, from FIG. 2, even though the polesare shown in raised position, it can be assumed that the pole segmentscan be seated in seat 12 by engaging ends 10 d against rim 12′ of theseat. Seat 12 guarantees that the lateral sides 10 e are correctlyaligned to form the assembly, and that the pole segments 11 remain inthis condition in successive operations. The pole segments 11 are seatedin seat 12 during a preliminary operation, which can be achieved bypositioning of a robot, or manually by an operator.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention fortransferring an assembly of the pole segments 11 from the seat 12 to atransfer device 200.

In the case shown in FIG. 2, the seat 12 is provided on a transportpallet 12 a, which has been conveyed, for example, by a belt conveyor(not shown in the figure) to the location of FIG. 2. The pallet 12 a andthe seat 12 are raised towards the transfer device 200 by lifting device100, which is driven by linear actuator 101.

In other embodiments, seat 12 can be one of a plurality of seats like 12fixed to a continuous conveyor which is moved to align in successioneach seat 12 in the position shown in FIG. 2. Seat 12 can also be partof another device that maintains seat 12 aligned in the position of FIG.2.

A base 251 belonging to an engagement assembly 250 is foreseen havingengagement members 252 in the form of rods (see also FIG. 2a ).Engagement members 252 can be present in a number equal to the number ofpole segments 11 that are present in seat 12. FIG. 2 illustrates asituation where seat 12 has been previously aligned with engagementmembers 252 so that each pole segment 11 results aligned with arespective engagement member 252.

Each engagement member 252 has a portion positioned in a respective seat252′ of base 251. A spring 253 in each seat 252′ guarantees that eachengagement member 252 has a degree of free movement with respect to base251 in the direction X, i.e. along the direction used for lifting seat12, or more generally along a direction that faces transfer device 200.

Base 251 can be assembled on guides 255 and moved in a guided manner indirection X by means of linear actuator 254 connected to base 251. Thissolution guarantees accurate movement of engagement members 252 indirection X so that each engagement member 252 engages a respective polesegment 11 at an end 10 d′ of the insulation members 10 g, and therebymoves the pole segment 11 towards transfer device 200, see also theenlargement of FIG. 2a where engagement members 252 are shown engagingthe insulation ends 10 d′ of the pole segments 11.

The movement of engagement members 252 can be terminated when basemember 251 has accomplished a predetermined stroke in direction X, whichbrings ends 10 c of pole segments 11 in abutment against a referencesurface of an engagement ring 256. The predetermined stroke is chosen toguarantee abutment of all the pole segments 11 against the abovementioned reference surface of engagement ring 256, which thusrepresents a reference surface (see the condition of FIG. 2). Thisabutment occurs even if the pole segments are longer or shorter withrespect to each other, within a predetermined tolerance range. This ispossible due to the presence of springs 253 which produce requiredcompensation motion of engagement members 252 with respect to basemember 251.

The difference in length of the pole segments 11 can be due to tolerancevariations in the lamination thickness, or other reasons related to thestage of forming the laminations stacks.

As a result of the abutment with engagement ring 256, all the polesegments 11 are aligned along a common reference surface defined by ends10 c. This stage of referencing the pole segments 11 is necessary forsuccessive accurate positioning and processing of the pole segments 11,as will more fully described in the following.

Other embodiments for accomplishing the stage of referencing the polesegments 11 are described in the following.

Once ends 10 c have been referenced as described above, clamping members201, 202 and 203 can be radially moved by drive 204 to engage portions202′,203′ and 204′ of the clamping members with the pole segments and inorder to hold the pole segments in the reference position (see FIGS. 3and 3 a). This also maintains the pole segments assembled together dueto the generation of the force reactions FC along lateral sides 10 e(see FIG. 1).

In the situation of FIG. 2, a guide assembly is provided placed along atranslation path comprising moveable engagement members for centeringthe pole segments 11. For example, the moveable engagement members canforesee centering pliers 291 and 292 for assuring that pole segments 11are in the correct engagement condition along lateral sides 10 e. Infact, pliers 291 and 292 can be closed around the pole segments in orderto engage the latter, and thereby center them, prior to the abovementioned movement achieved by engagement rods 252. Pliers 291 and 292can be opened during the movement caused by engagement rods 252.

Transfer device 200 can also be provided with a fixing arrangement 280for maintaining a lead support member 400 attached to the pole segments11, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 3 b. In processing stages preceding thestage represented in FIG. 1, the lead support member 400 can bepreviously assembled adjacent to ends 10 c of the pole segments 11 andthere fixed, for example by a protuberance and socket arrangement (notshown in the figure). Lead support member 400 can be accidentallydislodged during transfer of the pole segments. To avoid this situation,fixing arrangement 280 provided with pusher arms 282 that press on leadsupport member 400 in a direction, which is towards ends 10 c tomaintain lead member 400 adjacent to end 10 c.

Pusher arms 282 have a common portion 282′, which is fixed to rods 283and 284 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Rods 283 and 284 can run in seats of thebody of transfer device 200. Rods 283 and 284 can be pushed by preloadedsprings, like 285, which are located in the seats of the body oftransfer device 200, as shown in FIG. 2 for one of the springs.

FIGS. 5 and 8 show that the lead support member 400 can be provided withterminals 450. Each terminal 450 can have a securing portion 450 a foranchoring a lead 10 b to the terminal 450. The lead 10 b also passes inportion 450 b, which resembles a sheath that surrounds lead 10 b. For aterminal 450, portion 450 a becomes crimped for anchoring the lead 10 bto the terminal 450, whilst portion 450 b becomes fused to createelectrical contact, as will be described with more detail in thefollowing.

A limited number of terminals 450 of the lead member 400 have been shownin FIG. 5, for reasons of clarity.

Transfer device 200 is assembled on guides 290 for being translated indirection X away from the condition shown in FIG. 2. Successively,transfer device 200 can be rotated for 90° by a rotation actuator 295 toreach the position shown in FIG. 3. In the position of FIG. 3, theassembly of pole segments 11 is held by clamping members 201, 202, 203and results aligned with a containing assembly 300 (see FIGS. 3a and 4).

Transfer device 200 can translate towards the right of FIG. 3 on guides290′ in order to locate the assembly of pole segments 11 at containingassembly 300.

Containing assembly 300 is capable of receiving, holding, and ifnecessary transferring the pole segments 11 in the assembledarrangement. In particular, containing assembly 300 is capable ofpositioning the pole segments 11 at processing stations. For example,the processing stations can consist in a station for definitely aligninga lead 10 b with respect to portion 450 a of terminal 450 and a stationfor fusing the lead 10 b to portions 450 b of the terminal. For reasonsof clarity FIG. 4 does not show the condition where the assembly of polesegments 11 is received, however FIG. 5, which is an enlarged partialsection view of FIG. 4, shows the assembly of pole segments 11 oncereceived by containing assembly 300.

Containing assembly 300 comprises a support ring 301 where the polesegments 11 are seated, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Support ring 301 isbolted to gear ring 302 by means of bolts 303. Gear ring 302 issupported by bearings 305, which are seated on frame structure 306. Gearring 302 is engaged with pinion gear 307, which is also seated in framestructure 306.

Drive 308 by means of coupling 309 becomes coupled to appendix 310 ofpinion gear 307, so that pinion gear 307 can rotate gear ring 302, whenthe pole segments need to be angularly indexed around axis Y. Axis Y isa center axis of support ring 301, and is thus coincident with thecenter axis of the assembly of pole segments 11, when the latter isreceived in support ring 301 (see also FIG. 5).

Movement members 311 are assembled on a face of support ring 301, asshown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Each movement member 311 comprises a clampingmember 312 having for example a circular shape, as shown in FIGS. 5 and6.

The movement members 311 together with the clamping members 312,advantageously positioned on the containing assembly 300 so as tosurround pole segments 11 have the task of clamping the pole segments 11when the assembly of pole segments are received in support ring 301, asshown in FIG. 5.

The assembly of clamping pads 312 on clamping members 311 is achieved bymeans of joints which allow movement according to at least a degree ofmotion with respect movement member 313.

For example, the joints can comprise support pins 313 which pass throughseats foreseen in the movement members 311, and bolts 314 for boltingthe clamping members 312 to the movement members 311, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6.

Springs 315 are interposed between the clamping pads 312 and themovement members 311. The support pins 313 are free to run in seats ofthe movement members 311, so that the clamping members 312 can performcompensation movements to adapt themselves to the surface of the polesegments when the movement members 311 are moved radially, i.e. towardsaxis Y, for a fixed stroke of a movement member 311. The radialmovements of movement members 311 is guided by ways 316 present on theface of support ring 301.

A support assembly 350 for supporting lead support member 400 is shownin FIGS. 4 and 6, without being sectioned for reasons of clarity.Support assembly 350 is shown partially sectioned in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, lead support member 400 is shown supported by supportassembly 350, according to the detail that will be more fully describedin the following.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, support assembly 350 comprises a fixingportion 351 fixed to support ring 301 by means of bolts 352. Supportassembly 350 is provided with a central gripping portion 353, whichextends from fixing portion 351.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, central gripping portion 353 comprisesgripper members 357, which move radially outwardly with respect tocentral axis Y to grip lead member 400 (see the condition of FIGS. 5 and8 where lead support member 400 is gripped by gripping members 357). Inparticular, gripper members 357 are surrounded by movement members 311.

The radial movement of the gripper members 357 is caused by the axialmovement along axis Y of cone member 354. Cone member 354 moves in thismanner because it is pushed by preloaded spring 355. Preloaded spring355 encircles shaft 356. Shaft 356 is connected to the cone member by ascrew joint 359, as shown in FIG. 5. Spring 355 abuts the end ofenclosure 306″, shown in FIG. 4. Gripping members 357 are connected tocone member 354 by being engaged in ways of inclined guide 358, whereeach of the ways is configured like a T, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Thetranslation motion of cone member 354 along axis Y is transformed intooutwards and inwards radial motion of gripping members 357 to releasethe grip on lead support member 400.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 4, shaft 356 can be pulled indirection P by fork member 360 which engages head 361 of shaft 356.Accordingly, cone member 354 is caused to move in direction P to pullgripping members 357 inwardly and thereby release the grip on leadmember 400.

The release of shaft 356 accomplished by moving fork member 360 in adirection opposite to direction P causes gripping members 357 to moveradially outwards in order to grip lead support member 400, as shown forexample in FIGS. 5 and 8. The preload of spring 355 maintains grippingmembers 357 in the radial position towards the outside to hold the leadsupport member 400 when the fork member 360 is disengaged from head 361.The disengagement of the fork member can be necessary in particular whenthe containing assembly 300 needs to be transferred.

FIG. 7 shows the mechanism for moving the movement members 311 andclamping pads 312 in the radial directions, i.e. towards or away fromaxis Y, to grip or release the pole segments 11, when the latter arepositioned in the containing assembly 300.

More particularly, each movement member 311 is provided with a pin 401,which passes through a way 316 to engage the sides of respective camslots 402 of ring 403. By rotating ring 403 in directions R′1 and R′2around axis Y, movement members 311 are respectively moved towards axisY for gripping the pole segments 11, or away from axis Y for releasingthe clamping action on the pole segments 11. At ends 402′ of cam slots402 the profiles of the sides of the cam slots engaged by pins 401 areconfigured to maintain a locking action on pins 401. This causes lockingof gripping members 311 in the gripping position of pole segments 11 (asshown in FIG. 5). The ends 402′ are the ends of cam slots 402 indirection R′2 as shown in FIG. 7.

Ring 403 can be rotated in directions R1′ and R2′ by movement of arm 404in directions R1′ and R2′ (see also FIG. 4). Arm 404 is fixed by bolts404′ to appendix 405 of cam ring 403, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Arm404 is rotated in directions R1′ and R2′ by drive 406 (see FIGS. 4 and6). Drive 406 can be a linear actuator having a fork member 407, whichis caused to engage roller 404″ of arm 404 to rotate ring 403 indirections R1′ and R2′, when required.

In particular, positioning and holding of the assembly of pole segments11 on containing assembly 300 can be achieved by moving the clampingpads 312 radially towards axis Y, once the clamping members 201, 202,203 have aligned the pole segments 11 with the clamping pads 312 placedin the release position. Then, the clamping pads 312 can be movedtowards axis Y to grip the assembly of pole segments 11, as shown inFIG. 5. Successively, clamping members 201, 202, 203 can be opened torelease the grip on the pole segments 11, and the transfer device 200can be moved away from the containing assembly 300. Once this conditionhas been reached, the containing assembly 300 can be transferred toachieve that the assembly of pole segments 11 are processed.

In this sequence of positioning, gripping and transferring the assemblyof pole segments 11, the lead support member 400 can be integral bymeans of the gripping members 357, once the clamping pads 312 areholding the pole segments 11.

The positioning of the assembly of pole segments 11 is predetermined.This has been achieved as a result of the transfer accomplished bytransfer device 200 and the holding with the clamping pads 312. Inparticular, the assembly of pole segments 11 results positioned in apredetermined position along axis Y, and also radially with respect toaxis Y in order to be centered. Furthermore, the various pole segmentare positioned amongst themselves to in order to guarantee that theassembly of pole segments is not disrupted.

FIG. 9 shows a station 500 where a containing assembly 300 can be movedby translation or by rotation of portion 306′ of frame structure 306(see also FIG. 4).

At station 500, deflectors 501 can be moved in a radial direction toengage leads 10 b and push leads 10 b to move to their definite locationin terminals 450.

Merely for reasons of illustration and clarity, FIG. 5 shows a side viewof deflectors 501 aligned with terminals 450, even though the positionof station 500 has been described as being separated from the locationof the representation of FIG. 5, where the assembly of pole segments 11are received from transfer device 200.

FIG. 9a shows the situation where the enlarged portion 501′ of adeflector 501 pushes a lead 10 b to the bottom of a terminal 450, as isthe condition required for fusing. Successively clamping members 502 and503 can crimp the sides of portion 450 a of the terminal to secure thelead 10 b (see also FIG. 5). The crimping of terminal portion 450 aoccurs by moving clamping member 502 and 503 towards each other with theterminal portion 450 a positioned in between until the required crimpingcondition is achieved, as shown for certain terminals 450 of FIG. 9.

Similarly, in FIG. 5 also a side view of clamping member 502 alignedwith terminals 450 has been shown.

In the station 500 of FIG. 9, two units having deflectors 501 andclamping member 502 and 503 are present. The units are positionedopposite to each other to be able to operate simultaneously, as has beendescribed above for deflectors 501 and clamping members 502 and 503. Thepole segments 11 and the lead member 450 are rotated around axis Y toposition each terminal in a predetermined angular position with respectto the deflectors 501 and clamping members 502 and 503. The rotation forindexing can occur by actuating drive 308 of FIG. 4, which is present instation 500.

FIG. 10 shows a fusing station 600 where the containing assembly 300 canbe moved by translation, or rotation of portion 306′ of frame structure306 (see FIG. 4). At station 600, electrodes 601 and 602 clamp and applyheat to portion 450 b of the terminal (see FIGS. 5 and 10 a) in order toproduce a fused contact of the leads 10 b with the terminal 450. In thestation of FIG. 600, two fusing units having electrodes 601 and 602 arepresent. The two units are positioned opposite to each other to be ableto operate simultaneously in the manner that has been described abovefor electrodes 601 and 602. The pole segments 11 and the lead supportmember 400 are rotated around axis Y to position each terminal 450 in apredetermined angular position with respect to the electrodes 601 and602. The indexing can occur by actuating drive 308 of FIG. 4, whichwould be present in station 600.

Referencing of the poles like has been described using ends 10 c isrequired for guaranteeing predetermined positioning of the pole segments11 with respect to any tooling or machine operator that needs to act onthe assembly of pole segments, or on other members that are connected tothe pole segments. Examples in this respect are the operators 501, 502,503, and the electrodes 601 and 602 of the fusing station 600, whichneed to act on the leads and the terminals.

In another embodiment, lead support member 400 can be applied to theassembly of pole segments when the latter is present in containingassembly 300. In this case, a lead manipulator can place the leads 10 bin the terminals, or the leads 10 b can be placed in the terminals 450,as a result of the alignment and placement of the lead support member400 on the assembly of pole segments 11.

A further embodiment for referencing the pole segments 11 can foresee anengagement assembly 250, provided with engagement members 252 in theform of rods, like are shown in FIG. 2a . This engagement assembly wouldbe present in area 700 of FIG. 4. The engagement members can engage ends10 d′ of the pole segments 11, when the latter are positioned onclamping pads 312, and prior to being clamped with clamping pads 312. Anend ring like 256 of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be positioned coaxial to axis Yon side 701 to act as an abutment surface when the pole segments aremoved parallel to axis Y of the containing assembly 300. In thisembodiment, at transfer device 200 and with respect to seat 12, it issufficient to have an engagement assembly with a common base like 251,which engages the pole segments 11 in 10 d′ and lifts the pole segments11 from seat 12.

When processing of the assembly of pole segments has been terminatedwith the use of containing assembly 300, the assembly of pole segmentscan be removed from clamping pads 312 by using clamping members like201, 202, 203 of transfer device 200.

The foregoing description of an embodiment of the method and of theapparatus according to the invention will so fully reveal the inventionaccording to the conceptual point of view so that other, by applyingcurrent knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt in variousapplications this specific embodiment without further research andwithout parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is meant thatsuch adaptations and modifications will have to be considered asequivalent to the exemplified specific embodiment. The means and thematerials to realise the different functions described herein could havea different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field ofthe invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology orterminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of descriptionand not of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for manufacturing stators ofdynamoelectric machines, the stators being formed as an assembly of polesegments, the apparatus comprising: a seat where the assembly of polesegments is seated; a transfer device; an engagement assembly thatcomprises a plurality of engagement members aligned with the seat,wherein each respective engagement member engages a respective first endof a respective one of the pole segments for translation of the polesegments from the seat to the transfer device; wherein: the transferdevice is moveable to transfer the assembly of pole segments to acontaining assembly; and the transfer device includes a first holdingassembly comprising a first plurality of holding members for clampingthe pole segments to hold the pole segments as an assembly of polesegments, the first holding assembly being arranged on the transferdevice; the apparatus further comprising: a containing assembly thatincludes a second holding assembly comprising a second plurality ofholding members for holding the assembly of pole segments; wherein: thesecond holding assembly is positioned on the containing assembly tomaintain the assembly of pole segments in a predetermined position whenthe pole segments are located at the containing assembly.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the transfer device further comprises arotation drive for rotating the first holding assembly to align thefirst holding assembly with the second position.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an abutment assembly where ends of the polesegments are engaged against a reference surface of an abutment memberto align the ends of the pole segments.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein the seat is provided on a transport pallet, and the transportpallet is translated to achieve engagement of the ends of the polesegments with the abutment assembly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe engagement assembly comprises a plurality of engagement members;wherein each engagement member is arranged to engage a respective polesegment to move the pole segments towards a reference surface.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising drive means and movement meansfor moving the second plurality of holding members towards the center ofthe assembly of pole segments to reach a position for holding the polesegments; and locking means for maintaining the second plurality ofholding members at the holding position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein the movement means is provided with a cam mechanism.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second holding assembly is rotatablearound a center of the casing assembly to change the angular position ofthe assembly of pole segments.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a guide assembly located along a path of the translation;wherein the guide assembly comprises moveable engaging members forcentering the pole segments.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theassembly of pole segments are provided with a support member havingterminals for connection of leads of coils of the pole segments; and thetransfer device comprises a moveable pusher that pushes on the supportmember to maintain the support member in a constant position withrespect to the assembly of pole segments.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein the casing assembly further comprises a third holding assemblycomprising a third plurality of holding members for holding a supportmember, wherein the third plurality of holding members are surrounded bythe second plurality of holding members.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the holding members of the second plurality of holding memberscomprise gripping members joined to movement members of the secondplurality of holding members by means of joints that allow at least onedegree of free movement with respect to the movement members.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rotation assembly or atranslation assembly to move the casing assembly to a further position.14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein engaging means are arranged to pushleads of coils of the assembly of pole segments into predeterminedpositions of terminals.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprisingcrimping members for crimping the terminals around the leads of coils.16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein fusing means are arranged forfusing leads of coils of the pole segments to terminal of the assemblyof pole segments.